A two-day training of Health and WASH was successfully run in Ha’apai last week, conducted by the Master Instructor Lafaele Moala, and Futsal Instructor Manu Tu’alau.
Two remote islands of Ha’apai group, ‘Uiha and Kauvai involve in the programme and looking forward to see children in the islands and their community welcome the program for the first time.
Ha’apai’s Vice-Chairman Mr. Ma’u Langi, attended as the guest of honour offering words of encouragement, to work together to make the Just Play Programme in Ha’apai successful. He also reminded the participants the importance of their roles they play in the Ha’apai Football Association.
“The Just Play Programme in Ha’apai will be a success through sacrifice, and every sacrifice we do, will always go together with love. We have to work together and do your best not only to benefit Ha’apai Football Association but also Ha’apai as a whole because the reef of today is the land for tomorrow,” Mr. Langi said.
Nineteen participants from the 13 communities made it to the first day of the training and ended with 16 participants on the last day due to bad weather and rough seas. Some of the participants were new to the programme, with this their first time participating in any training. Despite being a new participant, they still managed to share their ideas and thoughts to help the Just Play Programme to become successful in Ha’apai.
The training had two different programs which is the training theory and practical. From the training theory, the participants share ideas about social challenges, supporting system, skills/attributes and what is healthy lifestyle. The practical session was good because new methods and ideas were given from participants.
Moala said, overall, working together and applying the principles of team work leads to success, and sharing ideas with each other to develop the Just Play Programme will ensure it continues to get better. No matter what ways the participants use to deliver their ideas they have the courage and confidence to share what they believe.
“The volunteers were able to adapt and change the activities according to their own understanding, and they came up with their own ideas which may work well in their communities. They are confident and can change the lives of local children. I believe they can help prepare children to become Ha’apai and Tonga representatives in beach soccer one day,” Moala said.
The Just Play Programme is reaching out to the horizon to promote healthy lifestyles, and equal opportunities through football as a tool.
